Material transport cage and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

A stackable transportable apparatus and method for storing or transporting at least one cylinder, having first and second lateral sides, a front side, a rear side, a bottom side and an opening in the top. The opening in the top and the bottom side are in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Adjacent sides of each container are operably coupled to form a wall of the container. The wall includes front and rear proximal edges, and front and rear distal, edges. The front and rear proximal edges are closer to the center of a vehicle, by which the container is transported, than the front and rear distal edges. A top portion of the front side of the wall of the container, and the front proximal and distal edges have a plurality of open slot grooves.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for holding itemssafely in a car and methods of using the same. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a seat belt restrainable container andmethods of using the same.

2. BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as cars or light trucks, may be used to transport items,e.g., in their passenger compartments, trunks, truck beds, or truckfloors. The items may be thrown about due to unexpected movement of thevehicles used to transport the items. Such unexpected movement may bedue to rough driving habits, road conditions, accidental collisions, oradverse driving conditions due to the weather. Therefore, there is aneed for holders and methods for transporting items in vehicles.

One objective of the material transport cage is to provide aninexpensive, light weight, yet durable, and long lived, reusable,restrainable, stackable container that can store, secure and protectboth fragile objects, such as bottles, wine, soft drink bottles, and thelike, cans, milk cartons, etc., and protect passengers in vehicles frominjury due to the objects being thrown about in case of sudden stopsduring transport.

A second objective of the material transport cage is to securely hold apropane canister in a restrainable container so it can be safelytransported.

A third objective is to provide a stable container that can be attachedto a car via the seat belts in any of the passenger seats duringtransport.

A fourth objective is to provide a holder that can be easily moved andmanipulated by one person both when being placed in a vehicle and whilebeing moved over sand, gravel, concrete or similar flat terrain.

A fifth objective is to provide a safely stackable container with alocking lid that can be securely held in the back of a truck or similartransportation vehicle.

A sixth objective is to provide a stackable container for holding smallpropane canisters, eg., having a less than or equal to 25 poundcapacity, that can be stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a stackable apparatusfor storing or transporting at least one cylinder, comprising: a hollowcontainer having the shape of a cuboid (six (6) rectangular sides). Thecontainer has first and second lateral sides, a front side, a rear side,a bottom side and an opening in the top. The lateral sides, the frontand the rear sides run along a longitudinal axis of the container. Theopening in the top and the bottom side are in a plane that is orthogonalto the longitudinal axis. The top portions of the first and secondlateral sides, a top portion of the front side, and a top portion of therear side are defined as being adjacent to the top portions of the firstand second lateral sides, the top portion of the front side, and the topportion of the rear side. The bottom portions of the first and secondlateral sides, a bottom portion of the front side, and a bottom portionof the rear side are defined as being adjacent to the bottom portions ofthe first and second lateral sides, the bottom portion of the frontside, and the bottom portion of the rear side. The adjacent sides ofeach container are operably coupled to form a wall of the container. Thewall includes front and rear proximal edges, and front and rear distaledges. The front and rear proximal edges are defined as being closer toa longitudinal axis running through the center of a vehicle, by whichthe container is transported, than the front and rear distal edges. Thefront and rear proximal edges are formed by coupling the first lateralside to the front and rear sides, respectively, and the front and reardistal edges are formed by coupling the second lateral side to the frontand rear sides respectively. The top portion of the front side of thewall of the container, and the front proximal and distal edges have aplurality of open slot grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS

The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a material transport cage strapped into the driver's siderear passenger seat of an automobile with the first lateral side facingthe interior of the auto while the second lateral side faces theexterior of the auto, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A depicts the container in the vertical upright position with therear side proximal to the viewer, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B depicts a view of the wheels operably coupled to the bottomportions of the first lateral side and the axle that operably couplesthe wheels, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2C depicts an exploded cross-sectional view of a travel accessory,in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an elevation view of the material transport cage, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of the material transport cage, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts the apparatus vertically stacked, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A2 depicts the apparatus before being vertically stacked, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B2 depicts the apparatus after being vertically stacked, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A depicts the apparatus horizontally stacked, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A2 depicts the apparatus before being horizontally stacked, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6B2 depicts the apparatus after being horizontally stacked, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the removable lid and one embodiment of its lockingmechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts the apparatus with a optional interlocking spacer, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a handle which can be operably attachedto the first lateral side, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 depicts a detailed view of the apparatus being verticallystacked, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 depicts a detailed view of the lid being operably coupled to thetop of the apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION I. Definitions

As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a container” includes aplurality of such containers, and so forth.

As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “operably coupling”or “operably coupled” or “operably joined” or “operable coupler” isdefined as forming a mechanical, physical union wherein the componentsbeing joined may freely rotate on the coupling, e.g., about an axle, orbe slidably extendable or slidably retractable, e.g., sleeves of atelescopic handle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 as used herein, unless otherwise defined, theterms ‘distal edge” and “proximal edge” refer to opposite edges of awall 62. A front proximal edge 65 and a rear proximal edge, 68 aredefined as being closer to a center 80 of a vehicle 83, by which acontainer 15 is transported, than a front distal edge 71 and a reardistal edge, 74.

FIG. 1 depicts an elevation view of the stackable transportableapparatus 10 in a vehicle 83, e.g., an automobile, equipped with a seatbelt 103, having a shoulder portion 106 and a waist portion 109. Thecontainer 15 has been placed against a first surface 112 of a passengerseat 115 of the vehicle 83, so that a bottom side 33 of the container 15rests on the passenger seat 115. The shoulder portion 106 of the seatbelt 103 has been extended diagonally from a wall of the vehicle 83above the container 15 across a front face 24 of the container 15 and isextended through an open slot groove 89 in a top portion 44 of the frontside 24 and the waist portion 109 has been extended through an open slotgroove 85, and an open slot groove 88 in the front proximal and frontdistal edges 65, 71 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

The stackable transportable apparatus 10 may have a first lateral side18 and a second lateral side 21, the front side 24, a rear side 27, aremovable lid 14, and the bottom side 33. The lateral sides 18, 21 andthe front side 24 and rear side 27 run along a longitudinal axis 35 ofthe container 15, illustrated in FIG. 3, infra. An opening in the top 30and the bottom side 33 are in a plane that is orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis 35. A top portion 38 of the first lateral side 18, atop portion 41 of the second lateral side 21, the top portion 44 of thefront side 24, and a top portion 47 of the rear side 27 are defined asbeing adjacent to the top portions 38, 41 of the first and secondlateral sides 18, 21, the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and thetop portion 47 of the rear side 27. A bottom portion 50 of the firstlateral side 18, a bottom portion 53 of the second lateral side 21, abottom portion 56 of the front side 24, and a bottom portion 59 of therear side 27 are defined as being adjacent to the bottom portions 50, 53of the first and second lateral sides 18, 21, the bottom portion 56 ofthe front side 24, and the bottom portion 59 of the rear side 27. Theadjacent sides 18, 21, 24, and 27, of each container are operablycoupled to form a wall 62 of the container 15.

In one embodiment, the at least one open slot grooves 85, 88 in each ofthe front proximal 65 and front distal edges 71 of the first lateralside 18 and second lateral side 21 of the wall 62 of each container 15of at least one cylinder 12 is a minimum of about 4.5 inches from thebottom portions 50, 53 of the first lateral side 18 and second lateralsides 21, the bottom portion 56 of the front side 24, and the bottomportion 59 of the rear side 27 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

In one embodiment, a depth of the cavity 136 inside the container 15extends at least about 17 to 19 inches from the top portion 38, 41 ofthe first lateral side 18, the top portion 41 of the second lateral side21, the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and from the top portion 47of the rear side 27 of the wall 62 of the container 15, to the bottomportion 50 of the first lateral side 18, the bottom portion 53 of thesecond lateral side 21, the bottom portion 56 of the front side 24, andto the bottom portion 59 of the rear side 27 of the wall 62 of thecontainer 15.

In another embodiment a method of transporting at least one cylinder 12,as shown in FIG. 3, comprises the stackable apparatus 10, at least onecylinder 12 having a valve 142 extending from a neck end 69 of thecylinder 12, inserting the at least one cylinder 12 through the openingin the top 30, so the length of the cylinder 12 and the valve 142 do notexceed a depth of the cavity 136 inside the container 15, extending atleast about 17 to 19 inches from the top portions 38, 41 of the firstand second lateral sides 18, 21, from the top portion 44 of the frontside 24, and from the top portion 47 of the rear side 27 of the wall 62of the container 15 to the bottom portions 50, 53 of the first andsecond lateral sides 18 21, to the bottom portion 56 of the front side24, and to the bottom portion 59 of the rear side 27 of the wall 62 ofthe container 15. The length from each adjacent edge of the container 15is at least about 12 inches, placing the stackable apparatus 10 on theseat 115 of the vehicle 83, so that the bottom side 33 of the container15 rests on the passenger seat 115, and extending the seat belt 103around the container 15, so that the shoulder portion 106 of the seatbelt 103 extends diagonally from the wall of the vehicle 83 above thecontainer 15 through the open slot groove 89 in the top portion 44 ofthe front side 24 of the container 15; and so that the waist portion 109extends through the slotted openings 85, 88 in the front proximal edge65 and the front distal edge 71 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

FIG. 2A depicts the apparatus 10 in the vertical upright position withthe rear side 27 proximal to the viewer. The side elevation view of thestackable apparatus 10 for storing or transporting at least one cylinder12, comprising a pair of wheels 118 operably coupled to the bottomportion 50 of the first lateral side 18 of the wall 62 of the container15.

If the seat belt 103 were used (as in FIG. 1) with the orientationpresented in FIG. 2 the shoulder portion 106 of seat belt 103 would passthrough an open slot grove 90 in the top portion 47 of the rear side 27of container 15 while the waist portion 109 of seat belt 103 would passthrough a rear side 27 proximal open slot groove 86, and a distal openslot groove 87.

In one embodiment, the hollow container 15 has a shape of a cuboid (six(6) rectangular sides). The container 15 has first and second lateralsides 18, 21, the front side 24, the rear side 27, the bottom side 33,and the opening in the top 30. The lateral sides 18, 21, the front andrear sides 24, 27 run along the longitudinal axis 35 of the container15. The bottom side 33 and the opening in the top 30 are in a plane thatis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 35. The bottom side 33 comprisesa recessed groove 34 that runs long the perimeter of the bottom side 33,enabling the container 15 to be vertically stackable because the bottomside 33 may be inserted into the opening 30 of another container. Therecessed groove 34 is located at the ends of the bottom portions 50, 53of the first and second lateral sides 18, 21, the bottom portion 56 ofthe front side 24, and the bottom portion 59 of the rear side 27 of thewall 62 of the container 15. The top portions 38, 41 of the first andsecond lateral sides 18, 21, a top portion 44 of the front side 24, anda top portion 47 of the rear side 27, are defined as being adjacent tothe top portions 38, 41 of the first and second lateral sides 18, 21,the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and the top portion 47 of therear side 27, respectively. The bottom portions 50, 53 of the first andsecond lateral sides 18, 21, the bottom portion 56 of the front side 24,and the bottom portion 59 of the rear side 27 are defined as beingadjacent to the bottom portions 50, 53 of the first and second lateralsides 18, 21, the bottom portion 56 of the front side 24, and the bottomportion 59 of the rear side 27, respectively. The pair of wheels 118 maybe operably coupled to the bottom portion 50 of the first lateral side18 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

FIG. 2B depicts a view of the wheels 118 operably coupled to the bottomportions 50 of the first lateral side 18 and an axle that operablycouples the wheels 118, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

In one embodiment an operable coupler 121 that couples the wheels 118 tothe bottom portion 50 of the first lateral side 18 of the wall 62 of thecontainer 15 is the axle, recessed in the wall 62.

In another embodiment the wheels 118 insert into open slot grooves 135in the bottom portion 53 of the second lateral sides 21 of the wall 62of the container 15.

Alternatively, FIG. 2C depicts an exploded cross-sectional view of atravel accessory 200 comprising an elongated member 220 operably andremovably coupled to slidable end pieces 218. The elongated member 220may be an axle and the slidable end pieces 218 may be advantageouslyballoon wheels, or skis for transporting the container 15 across a sandybeach or snow and ice. The travel accessory 200 may be operably coupledto the bottom portions 56, 59 of the front and rear proximal edges 65,68 of the first lateral side 18 and the front and rear sides 24, 27 ofthe wall 62 of the container 15 by removing one of the slidable endpieces 218 and inserting the exposed end of the elongated member 220into the bottom portions 56, 59 of the front and rear proximal edges 65,68 of the first lateral side 18 and the front and rear sides 24, 27 ofthe wall 62 of the container 15.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 depict one embodiment of a handle 133 which can beoperably attached to the first lateral side 18.

In an embodiment the wheels 118 and the handle 133 are operably coupledto the first lateral side 18 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

In another embodiment the handle 133 is made from material selected fromthe group consisting of plastic material or fabric, non-metallicmaterial, and non-conductive material.

In one embodiment the handle 133 is selected from the group consistingof a sleeves 133A of a telescopic handle.

In an embodiment the handle 133 is operably coupled to the first lateralsides 18. In one embodiment operably coupling 121 the pair of wheels 118to an axle that is recessed into the bottom portion 50 of the firstlateral side 18 of the wall 62 of the container 15; and operablycoupling a handle 133 to the first lateral side 18 of the wall 62 of thecontainer 15; and pulling the handle 133 to apply a pulling force to thefirst lateral side 18 of the wall 62 of the container 15, so that thecontainer 15 is transported across a surface such as a sidewalk or beachby rolling the wheels 118 over the surface.

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of the material transport cageapparatus 10, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A depicts the apparatus 10 vertically stacked and an open slotgroove 130 in the first lateral side 18 and an open slot groove 131 inthe second lateral side 21, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment the stackable apparatus 10 for storing or transportingat least one cylinder 12 with the wheels 118 insert into open slotgrooves 130, 131 into the top portions 38, 41 of the first lateral side18 and second lateral side 21 of the wall 62 of the container 15 whenthe containers 15 are vertically stacked.

In another embodiment the perimeter around the bottom portions 50, 53,56, and 59 is less than a perimeter around the top portions 38, 41, 44,and 47 so the containers 15 are vertically stackable.

In another embodiment a method of transporting at least one cylinder 12comprises providing a plurality of containers 15. A perimeter around thebottom portions 50, 53, 56, 59 is less than a perimeter around the topportions 38, 41, 44, 47 so the plurality of containers 15 are verticallystackable; stacking the containers 15 so the wheels 118 insert into theopen slot groove 89 in the top portion 38 of the first lateral side 18of the wall 62 of the container 15 when the plurality of containers 15are vertically stacked.

In another embodiment the stackable apparatus 10 for storing ortransporting at least one cylinder's 12 wheels 118 insert into open slotgrooves 130, 131 in the top portions 38 41 of the first lateral side 18and second lateral side 21 of the wall 62 of the container 15.

FIG. 5A2 depicts the apparatus 10 before being vertically stacked.Motion indicating arrows 160, 163 show the direction of motion.

FIG. 5B2 depicts the apparatus 10 after being vertically stacked.

FIG. 6A depicts the apparatus 10 horizontally stacked.

FIG. 6A2 depicts the apparatus 10 before being horizontally stacked.Motion indicating arrows 166, 169 show the direction of motion.

FIG. 6B2 depicts the apparatus 10 after being horizontally stacked.

FIG. 7 depicts the removable lid 14 and an embodiment of its lockingmechanism 100, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

In one embodiment the removable lid 14 has a first surface 91 and asecond surface 94, which are oppositely facing, wherein a recessedgroove 97 forms the perimeter of the second surface 94 facing andadjacent to the top portion 38 of the first lateral side 18 and the topportion 41 of the second lateral side 21, the top portion 44 of thefront side 24, and the top portion 47 of the rear side 27 of thecontainer 15, so the second surface 94 facing and adjacent to the topportion 38 of the first lateral side 18 and the top portion 41 of thesecond lateral side 21, the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and thetop portion 47 of the rear side 27 of the container 15 is operablycoupled to the top portion 38 of the first lateral side 18 and the topportion 41 of the second lateral side 21, the top portion 44 of thefront side 24, and the top portion 47 of the rear side 27 of thecontainer 15.

In one embodiment the removable lid 14 comprises the locking means 100for operably coupling the lid 14 and the top portion 38 of the firstlateral side 18 and the top portion 41 of the second lateral side 21,the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and the top portion 47 of therear side 27 of the container 15.

In one embodiment the removable lid 14 has oppositely facing first andsecond surfaces 91 94, wherein a recessed groove 97 forms the perimeterof the second surface 94 facing and adjacent to the top portions 38, 41,44, 47 of the first and second lateral sides 18, 21, the front side 24,and the rear side 27 respectively, so the second surface 94 facing andadjacent to the top portions 38, 41, 44, 47 of the first and secondlateral sides 18 21, the front side 24, and the rear side 27respectively is operably coupled to the top portions 38, 41 of the firstand second lateral sides 18, 21, the front side 24, and the rear side27, of the wall 62 of the container 15.

In another embodiment the locking means 100 embedded in a recess 98 ofthe second surface 94 of the lid 14. The locking means 100 comprises ahandle 101 and a latch 102. Securing the at least one cylinder 12 in thecontainer 15 by rotating the handle 101 of the locking means 100 so thelatch 102 of the locking means 100 engages a closed slot groove 99 inthe top portions 44 47 of the front and rear sides 24 27.

FIG. 8 depicts the apparatus 10 with an optional interlocking spacer139, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

In one embodiment the optional interlocking spacers 139 running along alongitudinal axis 35 of the container 15 that are orthogonal to thebottom side 33 of the container 15.

In one embodiment the interlocking spacers 139 running along alongitudinal axis 35 of the container are orthogonal to the bottom side33 of the container 15 and a plurality of cylinders 12 can be insertedbetween the spacers 139.

FIG. 10 depicts an elevation view of the apparatus 10, comprising a topcontainer 15A and a bottom container 15B, prior to being verticallystacked, as shown in FIG. 5, and described herein. Both top and bottomcontainers 15A, 15B have open slot groves 130 in the top portions 38 ofthe first lateral side 18 into which the wheels 118 of the apparatus 10may be inserted. In FIG. 10, the wheels 118 are shown being insertedinto open slot grooves 130 in the top portions 38 of the first lateralside 18 of the wall 62 of the container 15B, thus forming saidvertically stacked containers 15A, 15B. This allows the recessed groove34 that runs along the perimeter of the bottom side 33 to be securelyinserted into the top 30 of another container 15.

FIG. 11 depicts a detailed view of the lid 14 being operably coupled tothe top of the apparatus 10. The lid is 14 operably coupled to the topof the apparatus 10. In one embodiment the removable lid 14 has a firstsurface 91 and a second surface 94, which are oppositely facing, with arecessed groove 97 along the perimeter of the second surface 94. Therecessed groove 97 can be operably coupled to the top portion 38 of thefirst lateral side 18 and the top portion 41 of the second lateral side21, the top portion 44 of the front side 24, and the top portion 47 ofthe rear side 27 of the container 15, with the recessed groove 97providing a secure coupling of the removable lid 14 to the apparatus 10.

In one embodiment the removable lid 14 comprises the locking means 100for operably coupling the lid 14 and the top portions of two parallelsides, either the top portion 38 of the first lateral side 18 and thetop portion 41 of the second lateral side 21, or the top portion 44 ofthe front side 24, and the top portion 47 of the rear side 27 of thecontainer 15.

In another embodiment the locking means 100 embedded in a recess 98 ofthe second surface 94 of the lid 14. The locking means 100 comprises ahandle 101 and a latch 102. Securing the at least one cylinder 12 in thecontainer 15 by rotating the handle 101 of the locking means 100 so thelatch 102 of the locking means 100 engages a closed slot groove 99 inthe top portions 44 47 of the front and rear sides 24 27.

In an alternative embodiment, a locking means 55, e.g., a reusable ziptie or the like for operably coupling the lid 14 and the top portions oftwo parallel sides, either the top portion 38 of the first lateral side18 and the top portion 41 of the second lateral side 21, or the topportion 44 of the front side 24, and the top portion 47 of the rear side27 of the container 15. In this embodiment the locking means 55 may bethreaded through the closed slot groove 99 in the top portions 44, 47 ofthe front and rear sides 24, 27 and an opening 57 in the lid 14,resulting in operably coupling the lid 14 to the closed slot groove 99in the top portions 44, 47 of the front and rear sides 24, 27. Thelocking means 55 may be held in reserve by threading and locking it inthe opening 57 of the lid 14.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of this invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

I claim:
 1. A stackable apparatus, comprising: at least one verticallyor horizontally stackable hollow containers (15), each container havingthe shape of six rectangular sides, each adjacent side forming a rightangle where the adjacent sides join, comprising: first and secondlateral sides (18, 21), wherein a top portion (38) of the first lateralside (18) comprises an open slot groove (130), wherein a top portion(41) of the second lateral side (21) comprises an open slot groove (131)and a bottom portion (53) of the second lateral side comprises an openslot groove (135); a front side (24), wherein a top portion (44) of thefront side (24) comprises an open slot groove (89) and a bottom portion(56) of the front side (24) comprises an open slot groove (85) and anopen slot groove (88) in the front proximal and front distal edges (65,71) of a wall (62) of the container (15); a rear side (27); wherein atop portion (47) of the rear side (27) comprises an open slot groove(90) and a bottom portion (59) of the rear side (27) comprises an openslot groove (86) in the rear proximal edge (68) and an open slot groove(87) in the rear distal edge 74) of a wall (62) of the container (15);and a bottom side (33), wherein the bottom side (33) comprises arecessed groove (34) that runs along the perimeter of the bottom side(33); an open top (30), wherein the first and second lateral sides, thefront side, and the rear side run along a longitudinal axis of thecontainer, wherein the bottom side (33) and an opening in the top areeach in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein adjacentsides of each container are operably coupled to form the wall (62) ofthe container, wherein the wall includes front and rear proximal edgesand front and rear distal edges, wherein a proximal edge is defined asbeing closer to a longitudinal axis running along the center of avehicle (83), by which the container is transported, than a distal edge,wherein the front and rear proximal edges are formed by coupling a firstlateral side to the front and rear sides, respectively, and the frontand rear distal edges are formed by coupling the second lateral side tothe front and rear sides, respectively; interlocking spacers runningalong a longitudinal axis of the container that are orthogonal to thebottom side of the container; and at least one cylinder(s) insertedbetween the spacers; a removable lid having oppositely facing first andsecond surfaces, wherein a recessed groove forms the perimeter of thesecond surface facing and adjacent to the top portions of the first andsecond lateral sides, the front side, and the rear side respectively, sothe second surface facing and adjacent to the top portions of the firstand second lateral sides, the front side, and the rear side respectivelyis operably coupled to the top portions of the first and second lateralsides, the front side, and the rear side, of the wall of thecontainer(s); a locking means embedded in a recess of the second surfaceof the lid, wherein the locking means comprises a handle and a latch;and at least one cylinder is secured in the container by rotating thehandle of the locking means so the latch of the locking means engages aclosed slot groove in the top portions of the front and rear sides. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a pair of wheels operably coupledto an axle that is recessed into the bottom portion of the first lateralside (18) of the wall of the container; and a handle operably coupled tothe first lateral side of the wall of the container, so that thecontainer is transported across a surface such as a sidewalk or beach byrolling the wheels over the surface by pulling the handle to apply apulling force to the first lateral side of the wall of the container. 3.The stackable apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a travel accessory(200), comprising an elongated member (220) operably and removablycoupled to slidable end pieces (218).
 4. The stackable apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the elongated member (220) may be an axle and theslidable end pieces (218) are selected from the group consisting ofballoon wheels, and skis, for transporting the container across a sandybeach or snow and ice.
 5. The stackable apparatus of claim 3,comprising: the travel accessory (200), operably coupled to the bottomportions 56, 59) of the front and rear proximal edges (65, 68) of thefirst lateral side (18) and the front and rear sides (24, 27) of thewall (62) of the container (15) by removing one of the slidable endpieces (218) and inserting an exposed end of an elongated member (220)into the bottom portions (56, 59) of the front and rear proximal edges(65, 68) of the first lateral side (18) and the front and rear sides(24, 27) of the wall (62) of the container (15).
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom portion (50) of the first lateral side (18)comprises wheels (118), wherein the wheels (118) of one container areinsertable into the open slot grooves (130, 131) in the top portion (38)of the first lateral side (18) and the top portion (41) of the secondlateral side (21) of another container to achieve secure verticalstacking of the two containers, or wherein the wheels (118) of onecontainer are insertable into the open slot grooves (135) in the bottomportion (53) of the second lateral side (21) to achieve securehorizontal stacking of the two containers.